Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2009-02-21

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 0309124948

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Increased agricultural productivity is a major stepping stone on the path out of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but farmers there face tremendous challenges improving production. Poor soil, inefficient water use, and a lack of access to plant breeding resources, nutritious animal feed, high quality seed, and fuel and electricity-combined with some of the most extreme environmental conditions on Earth-have made yields in crop and animal production far lower in these regions than world averages. Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia identifies sixty emerging technologies with the potential to significantly improve agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Eighteen technologies are recommended for immediate development or further exploration. Scientists from all backgrounds have an opportunity to become involved in bringing these and other technologies to fruition. The opportunities suggested in this book offer new approaches that can synergize with each other and with many other activities to transform agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The Potato Crop
The Potato Crop

Author: Hugo Campos

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2019-12-03

Total Pages: 524

ISBN-13: 3030286835

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This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This book provides a fresh, updated and science-based perspective on the current status and prospects of the diverse array of topics related to the potato, and was written by distinguished scientists with hands-on global experience in research aspects related to potato. The potato is the third most important global food crop in terms of consumption. Being the only vegetatively propagated species among the world’s main five staple crops creates both issues and opportunities for the potato: on the one hand, this constrains the speed of its geographic expansion and its options for international commercialization and distribution when compared with commodity crops such as maize, wheat or rice. On the other, it provides an effective insulation against speculation and unforeseen spikes in commodity prices, since the potato does not represent a good traded on global markets. These two factors highlight the underappreciated and underrated role of the potato as a dependable nutrition security crop, one that can mitigate turmoil in world food supply and demand and political instability in some developing countries. Increasingly, the global role of the potato has expanded from a profitable crop in developing countries to a crop providing income and nutrition security in developing ones. This book will appeal to academics and students of crop sciences, but also policy makers and other stakeholders involved in the potato and its contribution to humankind’s food security.

Postharvest Handling
Postharvest Handling

Author: Nigel H. Banks

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2009-02-21

Total Pages: 637

ISBN-13: 0080920780

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Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds.Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling.The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions.Key Features:*Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives*Updated with 12 new chapters*Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation*System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables

Lumpy Skin Disease
Lumpy Skin Disease

Author: Eeva S. M. Tuppurainen

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-07-03

Total Pages: 99

ISBN-13: 3319924117

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This book provides a comprehensive but concise overview on the economically important emerging cattle pox virus derived Lumpy Skin Disease, including the characteristics of causative agent, description of clinical signs in cattle, pathology and histopathology, immunity, geographical distribution, epidemiology and transmission pathways, control and eradication of the disease. In addition the recent developments in vaccination, mathematical modeling and risk assessment are discussed. Lumpy Skin Disease currently spreads aggressively across the Middle and Near East. The first incursion to the European Union territory occurred in Greece in autumn 2015. The book targets clinicians and field veterinarians in Lumpy Skin Disease affected regions, veterinary authorities as well as advanced students in veterinary medicine and virology.

Environmental Aspects of Zoonotic Diseases
Environmental Aspects of Zoonotic Diseases

Author: Robert Armon

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Published: 2012-01-31

Total Pages: 517

ISBN-13: 184339085X

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Environmental Aspects of Zoonotic Diseases provides a definitive description, commentary and research needs of environmental aspects related to zoonotic diseases. There are many interrelated connections between the environment and zoonotic diseases such as: water, soil, air and agriculture. The book presents investigations of these connections, with specific reference to environmental processes such as: deforestation, floods, draughts, irrigation practices, soil transfer and their impact on bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitological spread. Environmental aspects such as climate (tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, arid and semi-arid), developed and undeveloped countries, animal (domestic and wild) traffic animal border crossing, commercial animal trade, transportation, as well geography and weather on zoonosis, are also discussed and relevant scientific data is condensed and organized in order to give a better picture of interrelationship between the environment and current spread of zoonotic diseases. Altogether, the book presents a remarkable and a vast amount of potential future research directions based on the link: environment-vectors-pathogens-humans. The most up-to-date source of information on this increasingly important cross-disciplinary subject, Environmental Aspects of Zoonotic Diseases will be invaluable for environmentalists, veterinarians, medical staff, environmental engineers, government agencies and consultants working in this field. Authors: Prof. Robert Armon, Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Haifa, Israel, Dr. Uta Cheruti, Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Haifa, Israel

Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms
Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms

Author: Daniel Carrillo

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-04-30

Total Pages: 337

ISBN-13: 3319150421

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The history of biological control of harmful organisms by mites is marked by outstanding achievements with a few premiere natural enemies. Early works concentrated on the use of predatory mites for the control of synanthropic flies, More recently, the focus has been mostly on mites of the family Phytoseiidae for the control of plant feeding mites. This is an important family of acarine predators of plant pest mites, which are effectively used in agriculture worldwide. Besides the vast knowledge in several species in this family, there are as well many opportunities for biological control, represented in an array of organisms and through the improvement of management techniques, which are constantly explored by researchers worldwide. This has resulted in an increasing interest in predatory mite species within the families Stigmaeidae, Ascidae, Laelapidae, Rhodacaroidea, Macrochelidae, Erythraeidae and Cheyletidae, among others. This book will compile important developments with predatory mite species within these families, which are emerging as important tools for integrated pest management. New developments with predatory insects and pathogenic organisms attacking mites will also be a subject of this book. Finally, the potential and gaps in knowledge in biological control of acarine plant pests will be addressed.

Biochemical Sites of Insecticide Action and Resistance
Biochemical Sites of Insecticide Action and Resistance

Author: Isaac Ishaaya

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 3642595499

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In recent years many of the conventional methods of insect control by broad spectrum synthetic chemicals have come under scrutiny because of their unde sirable effects on human health and the environment. In addition, some classes of pesticide chemistry, which generated resistance problems and severely affected the environment, are no longer used. It is against this background that the authors of this book present up-to-date findings-relating to biochemical sites that can serve as targets for developing insecticides with selective prop erties, and as the basis for the elucidation of resistance mechanisms and countermeasures. The book consists of eight chapters relating to biochemical targets for insec ticide action and seven chapters relating to biochemical modes of resistance and countermeasures. The authors of the chapters are world leaders in pesti cide chemistry, biochemical modes of action and mechanisms of resistance. Biochemical sites such as chitin formation, juvenile hormone and ecdysone receptors, acetylcholine and GABA receptors, ion channels, and neuropeptides are potential targets for insecticide action. The progress made in recent years in molecular biology (presented in depth in this volume) has led to the iden tification of genes that confer mechanisms of resistance, such as increased detoxification, decreased penetration and insensitive target sites. A combina tion of factors can lead to potentiation of the resistance level. Classifications of these mechanisms are termed gene amplification, changes in structural genes, and modification of gene expression.

New Horizons in Biotechnology
New Horizons in Biotechnology

Author: S. Roussos

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-06-29

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 9401702039

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The practice of biotechnology, though different in style, scale and substance in globalizing science for development involves all countries. Investment in biotechnology in the industrialised, the developing, and the least developed countries, is now amongst the widely accepted avenues being used for economie development. The simple utilization of kefir technology, the detoxification of injurious chemical pesticides e.g. parathion, the genetic tailoring of new crops, and the production of a first of a kind of biopharmaceuticals illustrate the global scope and content of biotechnology research endeavour and effort. In the developing and least developed nations, and in which the 9 most populous countries· are encountered, problems concerning management of the environment, food security, conservation of human health resources and capacity building are important factors that influence the path to sustainable development. Long-term use of biotechnology in the agricultural, food, energy and health sectors is expected to yield a windfall of economic, environmental and social benefits. Already the prototypes of new medicines and of prescription fruit vaccines are available. Gene based agriculture and medieine is increasingly being adopted and accepted. Emerging trends and practices are reflected in the designing of more efficient bioprocesses, and in new research in enzyme and fermentation technology, in the bioconversion of agro industrial residues into bio-utility products, in animal healthcare, and in the bioremediation and medical biotechnologies. Indeed, with each new day, new horizons in biotechnology beckon.

Molecular Biotechnology
Molecular Biotechnology

Author: Bernard R. Glick

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 724

ISBN-13:

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The second edition explains the principles of recombinant DNA technology as well as other important techniques such as DNA sequencing, the polymerase chain reaction, and the production of monclonal antibodies.

Toxicological Profile for Aluminum (Update)
Toxicological Profile for Aluminum (Update)

Author:

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2001-02

Total Pages: 396

ISBN-13: 9780756708399

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This report provides information about aluminum and the human health effects of exposure. This chemical has been found in many sites identified by the EPA for long-term Federal cleanup activities. The report includes a Public Health Statement which explains the toxicologic properties of aluminum in a nontechnical, Q&A format, and a review of the general health effects observed following exposure; a description of health effects; how the chemical can affect children; and information on its chemical and physical properties, production, use and disposal, potential for human exposure, analytical methods, and regulations and advisories.